Yankees manager Joe Girardi offered a glimmer of hope Wednesday that Andy Pettitte might return to pitch for the team this season.

Girardi said he spoke with the veteran left-hander last week, and Pettitte has been throwing. Girardi said Pettitte just wants to be ready if he decides to pitch.

Cashman would not say whether the Yankees would be willing to let Pettitte return in the middle of the season like Roger Clemens had done.

“He’s not in play,” Cashman said. “It’s not sensible for me to speculate.”